The one and only, Chuck Schumer is back in the news, and he has got some plans. Today the word comes down as Chuck Schumer announces plans to federally decriminalize marijuana. The Democratic senator from New York made his plans known in a recent interview just ahead of 4/20. The Senate Minority Leader stated that he is officially supporting legislation that would decriminalize cannabis at the federal level. This marks quite a change from Schumer, as he has previously supported marijuana for medicinal use, as well as the rights of states to set their own cannabis policy. Mr. Schumer stated: “Ultimately, it is the right thing to do. Freedom. If smoking marijuana doesn’t hurt anybody else, why shouldn’t we allow people to do it and not make it criminal?”

He also added, “I’ve seen too many people’s lives ruined because they had small amounts of marijuana and served time in jail much too long.” Schumer expects to introduce his new bill in the Senate this week. The legislation features several changes to federal cannabis policy, though he stopped short of calling it “legalization.” The law would remove marijuana from the list of substances covered by the Controlled Substances Act, which would effectively end federal prohibition and allow the states to create their own cannabis regulations. The bill would also include funding to research the effects of cannabis as well as its ability to impair driving a motor vehicle.

The bill also maintains “federal authority to regulate marijuana advertising in the same way it does alcohol and tobacco.” Certainly another big step to legalization on a national level, but time will tell. Give us your thoughts on the news below and keep it locked for much more on this coming soon.